Saturday, November 12, 2011

A.T.B. & Collaboration: Sponsors needed for the Endangered Florida Species...

A.T.B. & Collaboration: Sponsors needed for the Endangered Florida Species...: March 16, 2012 A.T.B Fine Artists & Designers LLC are hosting a Endangered Florida Species Exhibition . Proceeds for the sale of the art ...

Friday, November 11, 2011

CRA hopes to turn Pleasant City into arts mecca

CRA hopes to turn Pleasant City into arts mecca

CRA hopes to turn Pleasant City into arts mecca

By ANDREW ABRAMSON

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Posted: 11:26 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011

Pleasant City, long known as one of the city's most downtrodden neighborhoods, is artistically trying to repair its image.

The city's Community Redevelopment Agency is re-branding a portion of Pleasant City as Lot 23, with the motto "the artful side of Pleasant City."

It begins with eight apartments that previously served as public housing. The CRA bought the property from the West Palm Beach Housing Authority and will rent the homes out to eight artists.

Area artists will be able to apply to live in the subsidized homes. They will be required to donate some time each week to the community, and CRA officials hope they'll help turn Pleasant City into an arts mecca.

"If you're a painter, we may have you work in a gallery space that we're going to be opening up," said CRA Administrator Grace Joyce. "If you're a music teacher, we'll have you go to the Pleasant City multicultural gallery or have you teach music to kids at Pleasant City Elementary School. It's a buyback into the neighborhoods."

Joyce says she expects the apartment to be filled by next summer. In addition, the CRA plans to open a restaurant across the street that will turn into a community kitchen at night, where mom-and-pop eateries can sell food in a market-like setting.

A studio space for artists also is planned. Joyce said the CRA has budgeted for about $1 million for the space. She hopes to eventually sell the properties to a private investor.

Trina Burks, who creates 3-D art along with her husband, Anthony, said Lot 23 is a long time coming.

"They've been talking about it for a while, and it's about time that West Palm Beach has this component as well," Burks said. "You see it in Delray and Lake Worth. It's something that we've even tried to start up."

Joyce said the CRA hasn't determined prices yet for the 750-square-foot, one-bedroom apartments. But she said the CRA rents out a three-bedroom house in the area for $450 a month, so the Pleasant City artists apartments could rent for significantly less.

Burks believes it could give a spark to Pleasant City.

"Between the restaurants and everything that's (on Northwood Road), it'll start becoming a place people will want to come, not just to dine but to purchase art," Burks said. "It's something that's needed to bring culture into the neighborhood and beautify the community."

While the CRA will consider anybody who applies, Joyce said she hopes to find artists who already have shown a commitment to the community.

She also is encouraging some more established artists to join the effort and mentor the younger artists who could live in Lot 23.

"You need someone who is going to be able to keep everybody on track," Joyce said. "If you have to work 10 hours of community service, you need one or two people to mentor the younger artists to make sure they do that. We're going to create this community within the community that will give back to the community."

Thursday, November 03, 2011

True Diva-Angela Bofill

 Bronx born Angela Bofill May 2, 1954  is an American R&B vocalist and songwriter. Bofill is noted for being one of the first Latina musicians to find success in the R&B market. She was born of Cuban (father) and Puerto Rican (mother) descent. She performed with Ricardo Morrero & the Group and Dance Theater of Harlem chorus.Her  debut album, Angie was released in 1978.

She has recorded under Arista, Capitol, Jive, & Shanachie Records from 1978-1996 & released a live album in Manila & several compilation albums.

Though Bofill has experienced many health issues in recent years including a few strokes, it is reported that she with all the therapy & support, our favorite diva is doing some light touring w/friends in the last couple years most recently at the renowned NYC's Blue Note.

As you can see, nothing is going to stop this song bird from spreading her wings. 



Monday, October 31, 2011

GOAPELE • Tears On My Pillow • B.B. Kings NYC • 10/24/11

Cold & indifferent

I will say this has been a rough year....my husband lost his job, oldest started college, then on top of not finding work my husband was diagnosed with diabetes

If I can say that I feel hopeful I would be lying....We worked very hard to get where we are at. Have helped many artists get established, businesses get ahead & people become free standing...yet I feel like overall we are standing alone. We have been doing work for everyone practically for free...yet we are behind in bills & are waiting for over $2500 from clients...I do not like being taken advantage of & I feel robbed by many I have trusted..

I pray every night that the little faith I have in people isn't swayed. Because of so many people asking & asking w/out any regard for giving...it is making it very  easy for me to now say no.

We had a fundraiser for a person who really needed support...& I was so turned off that her own peers did not come out to support her...more like disgusted. Yet my connections did their best to help as best they could.

So as 2011 slowly comes to a close...I am trying to not close the year angry & bitter. But as my shoulders tense up and face grimace....I cannot promise that. My faith in mankind has wavered...my heart hardened...and the selfishness of others around me has left me cold & indifferent.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Order one of my Books


Here's an opportunity to order books before the Gift Giving Holiday rush. 



Choose a Book

Thursday, September 29, 2011

2 Faced Packet Special


Soft cover

 Magnet
 Mug

T-shirt


Get the entire
Packet $60
save $17.50


Monday, September 05, 2011

~CONTEST~


 To celebrate the one year anniversary of the book, you have an opportunity to win a copy of 2 Faced: The Devil's Advocate. It's really easy to win...Respond to the post  about the Contest with your name and get your friends to "like" your name. The name with the most "likes" will win. THEY MUST CLICK LIKE NEXT TO THE NAME ONLY. Reposting a name will be removed. Deadline will be September 30th.
  
GOOD LUCK

Monday, August 22, 2011

What Happens When Your Heroes Let You Down





I looked up to you
like a  child to a
superhuman creature
that was indestructible
by any force that would
challenge you on
any level of doom.

I often envision that
 you could always save me
from the evils and the malicious
world that we live in
without even having to
lift a finger.

I would see that imaginary
glow that only surrounded
a chosen few of the infallible.
Mysterious  & unfathomable
A force to be reckoned with
on all levels of the spectrum.

But you are mortal.
Bleeding  from blue to red.
You hurt as well as you hurt others.
Though unintentionally, it's often
insensitive & destructible.

You are actually unsure of your future
You are indecisive & unachieved,
less goal oriented & uncertain of others
and of self.
Powerless from the storms that settle
among us.
The wind would actually blow you away
like a feather with one breath.

So, what happens when our heroes let us down?
We stand up against the immortals
& fight as hard as we can
even if we must do it alone


What a joke

It's amazing when you put the guard up for years...not allowing anyone to break through..then you foolishly let it down..never more... never more



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Advertise on ME


10 years ago I did a very inexpensive yet smart idea that helped promote my E-bay networks' online stores.  Basically they bought a space ON ME to advertise their business....I got the idea from a man who had people bid to permanently Tattoo their company on him.....I am not going that drastic

Since it is the summer, & I am constantly out & about @ events... I always wear tee shirts. We design a billboard tee & you put your business on my tee. 

Honestly it worked. I had people walking up to me putting URL's & phone # into their Blackberry's right off my shirt. The shirt I have on in the pic.... every time I wore the shirt....sales would go up..20%..so wanna BUY A SPACE ON ME for your business.  Cheaper than placing a $1500 in a magazine that may never get seen. ...This offer use to be $200 each

Once you buy the space & pay.. you send me either a JPG of your logo or your URL.. THAT'S IT.. the rest is up to us

Buy a space.. buy it now!!

Saturday, July 09, 2011

FREE TEE SHIRT WITH ART PURCHASE

Ladies... Spend $250 or more on art from A.T.B. Fine Artists & Designers LLC.. win this shirt.. Thru July 31st  
View Anthony Burks Sr. FB fan pagehttps://www.facebook.com/ampburksartist?ref=ts & contact us @ info@atbfineartists.com 

Friday, July 08, 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011

I didn’t use you



Do I understand
what is going on?
No, I am so confused.
I think about the rights and the wrongs
the choices I need to make.
My vision is very blurred.
I say one thing
but I really mean another.
I use money
to gain what I don't need.
I use metaphors to cover up the pain.
I use peopleto cover up the truth.
So now in this power struggle
I am trying to conquer;
know that I didn't use you in the fight
to protect you from the war.


© 2005 Trina Slade-Burks



Friday, June 24, 2011

Fallen Soldiers

Please stop acting clueless
like it’s the first time
this has happened.
I think you enjoy seeing
disorderly  conduct in your mental space.
If you didn’t,
you wouldn’t allow it in your world.

As the pandemonium unfolded
instead of me feeling like loyal subject
you treated me like an abandoned dog
left without food,
while all the yard dogs
battled for the meat.

There were the things in your life
that I thought were important to fight for
yet you were willing to throw it all away.
So why should I assume
that I am any different
That I am not just as easy to discard.

The fear in my heart
you planted.
The seeds of distrust
you sowed.
The fruits of disloyalty
you harvested.

And now you walk around
waiting  for me to accept
all the nonsense. 
NOPE

Look, you already knew
where my loyalty was.
I proved it to you
when I  fought like a soldier
in your war.
But the war is over,
and the wrong team won.
You were defeated
 & you’re too blind to see.
Reason why, you abandoned
your other warriors.
 for the double agent
on the other team.
So when you left us,
we got separated
and ambushed.
Now your warriors
are dead.
I’m  the lone soldier standing.
Wondering if
the time you committed to me
though shorter
than your fallen warriors
will be dishonored as well.

Friday, June 17, 2011

untitled

There are times when
a person stands on the side lines
and often is the one over looked
The one that sees & knows 
all the calls
& all the plays 
like a caddy
They may not make their presence be known
but you know that they are there.
They aren’t the loud
cheerleader @ the game
or the obnoxious coach @ the boxing match
but they are way more effective
for the job & your psyche.
They may not physically hold your hand
but they are the ones who actually guide.
At some point, 
don’t you think 
that they should get some
recognition too.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

You Feel What You Know

Too many things in the way of reality. 
You try to help someone avoid a mistake
They do what they want.. & chaos happens.
You devote your life to happiness
& you are around people who are totally unrealistic.
You know when you feel the anxiety
& you know the truth is beating on your door.
And you want for it to not  be what you feel it is
but you know for a fact what it is.


Did I invite that negative source in?
What if I had of just said no... let's do this
instead of that
What if I had not followed my heart
and just said.. what if.
I know I wouldn't be here now
Resenting all these entities presently
in my life.
Now all the entities are crying out
& I believe that I can no longer help them.
All I can do is sob, sigh & walk away.
Shaking my head, saying to myself
that I sensed it, I knew it, I felt it.


Entities in my life
Stop living in the unrealistic world of self
once you realize that 
your decisions you have chose
affect many
then maybe I can help you
get out of the rut. 

Monday, June 06, 2011

Happy 53 Birthday to one of my favorite Geminis


Happy Birthday to a true genius. A man who dared to challenge to musical industry to gain his respect. A true artist...A Gemini Like me. 

Scroll down the bottom of the page & turn off the play then click the purple player on. 


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Understand

It's amazing that I for my life need to understand when others are doing what they want.. But I have to stop feeling & doing what I want.

Promoting others who I care about.. prop them, yet strangers get all the glory for what they do. What a damn slap in the face.

Understand me for a damn change

No one to talk to..cuz the truth is unacceptable to others.

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Regular

Regular



Why wasn't I born to be a regular gal?
The one who was of a normal life
growing up with a regular family
in a regular house

Why didn't I go to a normal school
with regular friends
graduate with regular people
get my regular degree
to hold down a regular job
to earn a regular salary
get married to a regular guy
with my 2.5 kids
& live in a regular world

Instead
I lived an irregular life
Raised in a one parent home 
I attend 3 conflicted school
chose an obscure career
and everyday my brain is skewed
by extremely abstract & conflicting thoughts

Why
Because artists aren't regular
We hurt for the unknown
We suffer all the time
We fall in love way too many times
& have our hearts broken double that amount
We crazily believe 
that we can save the world from itself
We are Narcissist, conflicted, feeling beings
that cannot just turn our emotions off
We're shy extroverts
who desperately crave attention

Look at me
Do I look like a regular gal to you?

Friday, April 08, 2011

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Winning & Broke!!! Gee




Sizes


Monday, March 28, 2011

Please Order 2 Faced:the Devil's Advocate







2 Faced: the Devil's Advocate


Saturday, March 26, 2011

Bon Jovi - Thank You For Loving Me

Truce

The situation is far from funny
but one has to laugh to keep from crying
You know you've met your match
when the gloves just keeping on flying

Who is going to be the one
to throw in the white flag
Stubbornness will never win
neither will being a nag.

As I take a breath and try to focus
at my opponent in front of me
bruised, bleeding & wincing as such
in pain but refuses to flee.

As angry as we are we can never deny
something is telling us to quit
We are bigger than this & friends way too long
we must really end this SH*@

So I reach in my pocket to clean the blood 
from off my opponent's face
Then I looked at my hand shocked to see this flowy white thing
it was the flag made out of lace


As I looked in the mirror at my own bruised face
I cried at what had to be
My opponent turned & wiped my tears
and said, "Thank you for loving me"